Education

• Don't start by copying someone else's portfolio. Start with the most current, official framework.
• Don't use spaces or special characters in file names
  • Only use these characters: abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW
    XYZ1234567890_-
• Don't put everything in one folder. The clutter will overwhelm and confuse you.
  • Use lots subfolders with logical names.
  • Delete anything you're not using.
• Don't use Flash buttons. If they break, I can't help you fix them.
  • Consider rollover buttons
• Don't try to create a link to an imaginary page you haven't created yet
  • Create the target page first, then create the link
• Don't use tables to format a page (e.g., to center text)
  • Only use tables for tabular content (e.g., content standards)
  • Consider simple CSS to format a page: floatright, floatleft, center, nofloats (see Who is Kym?)
• Don't insert an image from just anywhere
  • Carefully save an image in the correct folder before you insert it into a webpage
• Don't use other people's images without permission. Google doesn't own the images it searches!
  • Unless the image is clearly free (e.g., from a free clearinghouse of images)
• Don't use excessive or tasteless animated images.
  • Some animated images can enhance a page, but too many can be distracting or unprofessional.
• Don't forget the "alt" information for an image
• Don't resize an image in the web editor.
  • Use an image editor (e.g. Photoshop).
• Don't distort an image by resizing only one dimension.

   

  • Always preserve aspect ratio.
• Don't create web pages in Word. Don't upload Word documents.
  • Use a proper web editor (e.g., Dreamweaver)
  • Print Word documents as PDFs
• Don't use frames. They are an out-dated system that can break in some web browsers
• Don't write in ALL CAPS.
  • On the Internet, block capitalization is shouting.
  • All caps obscures correct capitalization. (e.g., Is "POWERPOINT" really "Powerpoint" or "PowerPoint?")
• Don't use low contrast between text and background. Many people will have trouble reading it (e.g., colorblind people).
  • Examples: Pink on White, Lavender on White
  • Use dark fonts on light backgrounds.
• Don't use underline
  • Underlined text is supposed to be a link. It will confuse and annoy people.
• Don't do wacky stuff.
  • Make sure anyone on any computer can open and read your portfolio.
• Don't wait until the last minute. You'll probably have trouble getting help.
  • Plan ahead.

These are the only file types that should be in your portfolio:

• .htm or .html (web pages)
• .jpg and/or .gif (pictures and images)
• .pdf (Acrobat PDF)